Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

Things to Do

The picturesque Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located on the Brazos River. The expansive park grounds along the Brazos River provide a beautiful setting for picnicking, sightseeing and bird-watching. The Star of the Republic Museum, Independence Hall and Barrington Living History Farm, offer the visitor a unique insight into the lives and times of the men who fought and won Texas' independence from Mexico.

Barrington Living History Farm was the home of Anson Jones, last president of the Republic of Texas. Handcrafted reproduction log buildings and cropland demonstrate the working of a Brazos Valley farm, circa 1850. Interpreters in period costume work the farm as it was done long ago.

The Visitor Center Complex is a great place to meet staff and receive orientation to the park and our different sites. The Visitor Center houses interactive exhibits, park headquarters, and the Washington Emporium Gift Shop. Our gift shop contains a wide variety of t-shirts, hats, Texas history maps and books, as well as Texas souvenirs. We also offer a selection of snack items, drinks, and Blue Bell ice cream.

There are great group facilities for gatherings of all kinds, and all facilities in the park and the museum are accessible to the physically challenged. Wi-Fi is available at the park.

Ranger Programs

Travel back in time to the days when living legends such as Sam Houston and Davy Crockett walked the earth! Shake hands with a historical figure. Follow the daily activities involved in running a mid-19th century plantation. Learn to weave and spin wool. Look at a real leech. Through special events and tours, these activities await visitors to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site and Star of the Republic Museum.

Texas Independence Day Festival - Each year an Independence Day festival celebrating the March 2, 1836 adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence brings thousands of revelers to Washington-on-the Brazos for a giant party celebrating Texas' birth. The festivities include historical re-enactments and craft demonstrations. This event normally occurs on the weekend that falls closest to March 2. Call the park for dates and times. Join the Texas-sized birthday celebration!

Candlelight Christmas - Come to the park and visit historic Washington for a 19th century Christmas celebration. Gather around the fire and make toys, while listening to stories of Christmas cultural customs and traditions celebrated in Texas' past. For more information, please contact the park staff at (936) 878-2214.

Adult Tours - Washington-on-the-Brazos and Star of the Republic Museum offer tour programs for adults. Reservations should be arranged two weeks in advance.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association - The association was organized to assist in the promotion, interpretation and operation of Washington-on-the-Brazos, Barrington Living History Farm, Fanthorp Inn State Historic Sites and the Star of the Republic Museum. As a fundraising and service group, the goal of the association is to help in the overall operation of the sites through sponsoring events, helping fund projects and raising the awareness of these historic sites as assets to the community and surrounding areas.

For more information go to the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association website. While you are there check out their incredible new interactive tools, like the Texas 1836 app, that, through augmented-reality, reveals the historic site of Washington as it looked in 1836. It not only recreates the town, but allows you to interact with some of its citizens and toggle between the full virtual world and the augmented-reality view that superimposes buildings and people against the modern environment.

The "Texas Independence" interactive website illustrates the struggle, compromise, and sacrifice of the Convention of 1836. It takes the men who founded that new nation to a new generation and lets you take Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site into the classroom. Digital interactives, learning games, and primary source documents, designed specially to meet Texas' state teaching requirements for fourth and seventh grade teachers and their students, provide a unique and stimulating environment for understanding the impacts of the Texas Revolution.